Mrs. Drayton laughed after a few minutes; there was a touch of embarrassment in the sound.
“The new plan doesn't answer. Suppose you read as usual, and let me interrupt, also as usual, after the first two lines.”
He opened the book obediently, but turned the pages at random.
She watched him for a moment, and then bent a little forward towards him.
“It is my turn now,” she said suddenly. “Is anything wrong?”
He raised his head, and their eyes met. There was a pause. “I will be more honest than you,” he returned. “Yes, there is.”
“What?”
“I've had orders to move on.”
She drew back, and her lips whitened, though she kept them steady.
“When do you go?”